Truth in Hormone Research

Truth in Hormone Research

From Alternatives Newsletter Spring 2009

With all the controversy about hormone replacement therapy, what should women believe?  "A lot of women are scared of hormones; they don't know what to think," said Dr. Patricia Ryan, founder of Alternatives: A Center for Conscious Health.  "With all of the studies about the subject, it's no wonder the topic is so confusing for so many," she said.

"The problem is, studies that link hormone usage to increased cancer risk are often addressing synthetic hormones," Dr. Ryan said.   "And women should, in fact, stay away from those synthetic hormones.  Bioidentical hormones, on the other hand, replicate the progesterone and estradiol that the body produces.  That's why, if you see a study that says hormones cause cancer, you need to look for the names of the hormones that have been researched.  Unless they are estradiol and progesterone, they are in fact synthetic hormones that most likely could increase the risk of cancer."

According to Dr. Ryan, plant-based bioidentical hormones are the exact molecular composition of those estradiol and progesterone hormones that the body produces.  "A picture, in fact, is worth a thousand words," Dr. Ryan noted.  "If you compare the molecular structure of a synthetic hormone with one produced by the body or replicated by bioidentical hormones, you will see a vast difference.  Not all hormones are alike."


Molecular structure of a "Bio-identical Estrogen" (above) compared to a "Synthetic Estrogen" (below)

Note the differences in the Progesterone molecules...

Molecular structure of a "Bio-identical Progesterone" (above) compared to a "Synthetic Progesterone" (below)

Hormone deficiency in post-menopausal women can lead to serious problems, both physically and emotionally, Dr. Ryan said.  "Some women might develop osteoporosis or see their cholesterol skyrocket.  Others might become so mean that their husbands want to divorce them, or they can't sleep or keep their jobs because they can't remember.  Still others gain weight they can't seem to lose.  When hormones are depleted, insulin levels go up.  That can lead to an increased risk of hypertension, heart disease, cancer and diabetes.  What are your choices as you age?  You can wait until your body falls apart or you can be proactive," Dr. Ryan said.

In administering bioidentical hormones, Dr. Ryan uses biomimetic estradiol and progesterone in a topical cream preparation -- dosed to mimic the natural hormones produced by your body when you were 25 years old.

For more information about bioidentical hormones, contact the Alternatives clinic at 827-9450, also visit The Wiley Protocol for BHRT website